Can opener



Patented Dec. 20, 1949 so STATES FPATEINT OFFICE 2 Claims.

The invention relates to can openers and has for its object to provide a device of this kind, comprising a body member adapted to be attached to a support, and provided with a can feeding wheel for feeding and rotating the can against one of a plurality of can piercing and cu ting members carried by a finger member pivotally mounted on the body member.

A further object is to mount the multiple blade element on the finger engaging member, and to provide the cutting member with a plurality of apertures, any one of which is adapted to receive a holding pin on the finger engaging member for properly positioning and holding an of the cutting members in operative position in relation to the can feed wheel.

A further object is to provide the body member with a yoke arching the lower portion of the cutting element and forming a downward limiting stop for the finger engaging member.

With the above and other objects in view the invention resides in the combination and a1- rangement of parts as hereinafter set forth, shown in the drawing, described and claimed, it be understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention may be made within the scope of What is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawing:

Figure l is a side elevation of the can opener, showing the parts in operative position.

Figure 2 is an enlarged side elevation of the outer end of the opening, showing the cutting element raised, preparatory to the insertion of the can.

Figure 3 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure a is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on line -4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a detail perspective view of the finger engaging member.

Referring to the drawing, the numeral I designates a supporting plate, secured to a vertical support by means of screws 2. The outer face of the plate i is oil-set and is provided with an off-set vertical lug 3, which lug overlies the lateral flange t carried by the bod 5. Body 5 is also provided with an oppositely extending flange ti, having a vertical slot 7 therein for the reception of a securing bolt 8, therefore it will be seen that the body is rigidly held on the plate I and against pivotal action.

Rotatably mounted in the outer lower end of the body 5 is a feed wheel shaft 3, having a feed Wheel it on one end of the shaft and a handle II on the other end, so the feed wheel can be rotated for feeding and rotating the can when in position in the device, and at the same time supporting the can. Pivotally mounted at l2 to the body member 5 is a finger engaging lever l3, which lever is adapted to be swung downwardly for forcing one of the cutting points I 4 of the multiple cutter l5 into the can.

Referring to the Figure 3, the multiple cutter i5 passes downwardly through the brace yoke l6 into the can, and it will also be noted that the downward movement of the member i3 is limited by engagement thereof at ll with the yoke Hi. In operation, the bead of the can is placed over the feed wheel Ill when the finger engaging member I3 is in raised position, as shown in Figure 2, then the operator, with his left hand, forces the finger engaging member I3 downwardly until the point I4 pierces the can, and then the lever H is rotated in the direction of the arrow at, and the can will be fed and rotated by the feed wheel l0 and simultaneously cut out on its upper end.

The multiple cutter I5 is held on the finger engaging member by a screw l8, and in turn held against rotation on the finger engaging member by the holding pin 19, carried by the member I3, and which pin is received in one of the apertures 20 in the cutter. By providing a multiple cutter, it is obvious when one becomes damaged or dulled, a fresh cutter may be easily and quickly positioned in down position, thereby obviating the difficulty now experienced with devices of this kind.

It will be noted that each arm of the multiple cutter is so shaped, that when in down position its cutting edges inclined upwardly and outwardly for a cutting and shearing operation, and also by providing this particular angle there will not be a tendency for the finger engaging member l3 to be forced up during the can cutting operation.

From the above it will be seen that a multiple blade can opener is provided which is simple in construction and one having the multiple advantages set forth. The under side of the body 5 is provided with a bottle cap remover 2 i formed by one of the reinforcing flanges 22.

The invention having been set forth What is claimed as new and useful is:

1. A can opener comprising a supporting plate, a can feed wheel adjacent the lower side of said plate, a cutter carrying lever pivoted to the plate above the wheel intermediate the inner end of the plate and the axis of the feed wheel, a cutter REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

Number UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Gisske Feb. 2, 1932 Radel Sept. 26, 1933 Long Jan. 18, 1938 

